In August 2018, a British couple from Burnley, Lancashire, died while vacationing at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt. John Cooper, aged 69, and Susan Cooper, aged 63, succumbed to a sudden illness during their stay.

The incident gained significant attention, leading to a detailed inquest which began on November 7, 2023.  At the inquest it was revealed that the couple’s room at the hotel was near another room that had been fumigated for bedbugs using a pesticide named Lambda. This fumigation occurred just one day before the Coopers were discovered in a critical condition.

Following this tragic event, Thomas Cook, the travel company, evacuated hundreds of guests from the hotel as a precaution. A key detail emerged during the inquest: there was a locked door connecting the Coopers’ room with the fumigated room. A German tourist’s report of bed bugs had prompted the fumigation.

The Coopers were traveling with their daughter Kelly Ormerod, three grandchildren, and friends. Molly, a 12-year-old granddaughter, was staying in the same room and noticed a “yeasty smell.” She felt sick during the night, leading to her relocation to her mother’s room. The next morning, Ormerod found her parents severely ill.

Initial investigations ruled out carbon monoxide and food poisoning. However, subsequent examinations suggested potential exposure to toxic chemicals from the fumigation. Pathologists found carbon monoxide in the couple’s blood, adding complexity to the cause of death.

There’s speculation that the pesticide may have been mixed with dichlorvos, a chemical banned in the UK. This mixture could have increased the toxicity. Prior to this incident, the Coopers were in good health. Their sudden illness, involving acute symptoms and heart failure, raised concerns about the fumigation standards and safety procedures. Witnesses, including other hotel guests, provided testimonies at the inquest. The hearing on the investigation resumes on November 15.